At a forum organized by Cobb Germany and its local partner Iradia, Graf von Drechsel expressed belief in the future of the poultry industry in the west Balkan countries and increasing cooperation with the rest of Europe. Drechsel is head of Wimex, the largest European hatching egg producer, and president of the German Poultry Union. He was speaking at the event held in Belgrade about the current position of the poultry industry in these countries, a region where he has worked for almost 30 years.
It was the first such Cobb poultry business forum there, providing customers with technical information and business and management opportunities. Fifty influential business people, owners and general managers of all the major poultry companies from the entire region were in attendance.
Opening speakers at the event were James Truscott, director of Cobb Germany, and Jasmina Atlic, owner of Iradia. Dejan Bugarski, head of the Serbian veterinary service, spoke about the possibility of Serbian producers working with other countries and one day with EU. He explained what Serbia had already done, and what remains to be done to stimulate further growth of its industry.
The following day, approximatly 120 delegates from all the former Yugoslav countries and also Albania, attended a Cobb technical seminar at the hotel. The Cobb technical team addressed a number of topics with Dr. Matthias Todte updating knowledge on Enterococcus, and Dr. Ron Meijerhof speaking about the latest developments in the pre- and post-hatch feeding and management of chicks from young breeder flocks. Dr. Ermin Grbic spoke about bodyweight control in breeders and Saeid Najati about on broiler growing essentials.
